Fees: Pittsfield - $75, Machias/Jonesport - $85, Hodgton - $100

BACK TO BASICS OBEDIENCE COURSE OUTLINE

BASIC OBEDIENCE – 6 WEEKS

This on lead course covers basic social skills plus the formal commands of “heel, sit, down, stay, come and stand”.

The first week is Orientation, which is mandatory attendance for anyone who has not attended a Back to Basics Orientation before. In this class we will discuss the rules of the class, what you can expect from the class and how to handle your dog the following week. I will also familiarize you with the mandatory training equipment (a nylon constricting collar) that I provide for your dog with the cost of the class. This is a very important class.

Weeks 2 – 6 are with the dog where practical applications of commands learned will be discussed and practiced. Printed reminder sheets of the “home work” will be handed out at the completion of each class.

With the exception of the first week which frequently runs longer than the allotted hour due to the nature of the question/answer time, each subsequent class will be kept as close to one hour as is possible.

You MUST graduate the basic level of training with me, to be eligible for the next level of training offered which is Intermediate.

TECHNIQUES

This is not easy to sum up in a few sentences as with my varied experience over 30+ years, I will and do modify my “techniques” if I see a particular need to do so….usually in the case of a physically challenged handler.

For the most part, it is safe to say that I always operate on a correction and praise method. Correctly administered, well timed correction with the nylon collar followed up with praise for appropriate behavior has always been a winning combination for me. I absolutely do not “bait” or “clicker” train. I will explain why in the orientation. I absolutely do not allow hitting of the dogs in any fashion…..hopefully I don’t need to explain why.